The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expelled Medhu Henveiru MP Ali Azim after he signed an opposition no-confidence motion against the Attorney General.

The MDP’s parliamentary group leader Mohamed Aslam filed a complaint at the disciplinary committee, arguing that he must be removed from the party for taking part in opposition events.

The opposition has accused the government of “selling” part of the Maldives' territorial waters and vowed to remove “traitors” from power.

The disputed territory between the Maldives and Mauritius was demarcated at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) after the government agreed that Chagos belongs to Mauritius.

Azim, with opposition figures, at a press conference on Chagos issue. -- Photo: Mohamed Shabin/ Adhadhu

The opposition has initiated no-confidence motions against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and announced a campaign for the impeachment of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

They are also planning to stage a mass protest on June 2.

The main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) joined with Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldives National Congress (MNC) to begin the campaign.

However, the ‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ faction from MDP, backed by parliament speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed, also supports the campaign.

So far, Azim is the only MDP member to sign the petition to remove Riffath. The party had previously warned that MPs who sign no-confidence motions would be expelled.

Adhadhu can confirm that MDP’s disciplinary committee held a meeting on Monday morning and decided to expel him from the party. But the decision has not been officially announced.

Azim, who previously served as the parliamentary group leader of MDP was dismissed according to clauses 19 and 20 of the party constitution.

According to clause 19, any member who takes part in the activities of another political party will be expelled. The clause 20 says any member who tries to disrupt stability within the party will also be expelled.

MDP 'Fikurehge Dhirun' faction members. -- Photo: Mirash Nashim/ Adhadhu

‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ faction was formed after Nasheed lost the MDP’s presidential primary to incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Azim is a senior member of the faction. He joined MDP after the first round of the 2013 presidential election. Before that, he was a member of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.

With Azim’s expulsion, the number of MDP MPs has come down to 67.

The last MP to be expelled from the party was Hulhu Henveiru MP and then deputy speaker Moosa Manik in 2016. He rejoined the MDP in 2022.